From August 23 to August 25, the 2019 Swedish Fjällräven “Classic Traverse” Hiking Event China Qilian Station, jointly organized by the People’s Government of Qilian County and the Qilian County Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Radio & Television Bureau, and co-organized by Jiangsu Fenix Outdoor Products Co., Ltd. and Qinghai Nashan Cultural Tourism Co., Ltd., officially commenced in Heiquan Valley, Caodabian Village, Aryi Township, Qilian. Over 100 hikers and volunteers from six countries — Sweden, Norway, Hungary, South Korea, Canada, and China — took part in this “Classic Traverse” hiking event.
The Swedish Fjällräven “Classic Traverse” Hiking Event is a renowned outdoor activity beloved by global hiking enthusiasts. Since 2005, a total of 15 editions have been held, attracting nearly 2,000 outdoor enthusiasts from around the world each year, including seniors and children aged 10 and above. The Qilian Station of the Swedish Fjällräven “Classic Traverse” Hiking Event marks its first time being held on the Chinese mainland and is one of the most spectacular routes.
Speech by Lin Mingwen, General Manager of Jiangsu Fenix Outdoor Products Co., Ltd., at the opening ceremony
“Since 1960, the Swedish Fjällräven brand has been dedicated to crafting classic outdoor gear with precision, advocating for consumers to connect with nature and experience the joy of outdoor living. It took several years of research for Fjällräven to decide to hold the ‘Classic Traverse’ hiking event in the Qilian Mountains. Not only are the Qilian Mountains incredibly scenic, but they also hold an extremely important position within China. The area’s terrain and climate, especially during July and August, are highly suitable for hiking,” said Lin Mingwen, General Manager of Jiangsu Fenix Outdoor Products Co., Ltd. Choosing the Qilian Mountains represents a collision and fusion of the spirit of the Fjällräven “Classic Traverse” hiking event with the culture of the Silk Road.
The Qilian Mountains have been famous since the Han Dynasty, often mentioned in the context of wars between the Han Empire and the Xiongnu, and they are the true unsung heroes behind the Hexi Corridor and the Silk Road. The Qilian Mountains boast the reputation of “three landscapes in one mountain”: lush forests and vegetation in the east, snow-capped mountains and glaciers in the middle, and barren deserts in the west.
Hiking route map for the Qilian Mountains “Classic Traverse”
This edition of the “Classic Traverse” hiking route selects an exceptionally scenic segment of the Qilian Mountains; the full course spans 26 kilometers, with the lowest elevation at 3,100 meters and the highest at 3,700 meters. The starting point is located in Heiquan Valley opposite the Aryi Monastery in Aryi Township, passing through the mysterious lake of Tibetan Buddhism “Cuoshehu Lake,” grassland valleys, the Black Yak Pass, the Stone Circle Campsite, and eventually arriving at Camel River.
The mysterious lake of Tibetan Buddhism “Cuoshehu Lake”
The entire course showcases the multi-layered natural beauty of the pristine Qilian Mountains, including traversing forests, canyons, lakes, streams, and alpine meadows, as well as encountering adorable protected wildlife.
Crossing a stream
Camping under the starry sky
Alpine meadow
The Fjällräven brand provided meticulous professional support for this event. The number of participants was limited to around 100, divided into 6–7 groups, with each group assigned professional guides and sweepers from around the world, as well as medical volunteers to ensure safety. To accommodate potential challenges with high-altitude trekking, each team also had accompanying horses and horse handlers to assist those feeling unwell by transporting luggage or evacuating injured participants down the mountain if necessary. Professional medical personnel and emergency medications were also available at each checkpoint and campsite.
Participants were required to carry all necessary items for the entire journey, including two nights’ worth of Fjällräven professional camping tents and sleeping bags, windproof and warm clothing, food for three days and two nights, Primus cookware from the Fenix Group, Hanwag professional hiking shoes, etc.; simple Tibetan-style meals were also provided at campsites and checkpoints.
In the distance are the horses and horse handlers assigned to each team
This is a special and meaningful event.
At the opening ceremony, the Fjällräven headquarters event organizer explained the brand’s environmental philosophy
Fjällräven embodies the “Leave No Trace” environmentally friendly outdoor philosophy, conveying it earnestly to every participant: “When we leave the campsite, the environment should be better than when we arrived.” All participants are required to carry all generated waste to the endpoint, where garbage bags are weighed to complete waste recycling, thereby protecting the ecological environment of the Qilian Mountains. Many hikers even carried garbage encountered along the way to the endpoint despite the effort.
After three days of strenuous trekking, every participant who reached the finish line is a winner.
“While not purely a speed competition, all who successfully reach the endpoint will receive a medal, aiming to encourage ordinary people like you and me to connect with nature and experience genuine outdoor happiness.” This is the philosophy that the Fjällräven “Classic Traverse” hiking event has always strived to convey.